Automatic record reproducer apparatus

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to automatic record changers adapted particularly for reproducing records of different diameters. The records may be held in intermingled stacked relationship upon a supporting spindle element prior to release for play. A series of cams carried and supported for rotation upon a single camshaft functioning with suitable controls determines the operational sequence control. Rotation of the camshaft and its cams over a preestablished angle (usually 360*) controls the operation. Camshaft rotation is interrupted each time the shaft turns through the selected angle and is then reinitiated either manually or automatically. All normal operations are established in known sequence.

United States Patent [72] lnventor Pedro Sans Cerudo 3,044,782 7/l962 Hansen. 1 1 274710 2 A l N 225 g FOREIGN PATENTS 2 f A 1:25 967 214,835 8/1967 Sweden 274/10 [45] Patented July 20, 1971 Primary Examiner-l-larry N. Haroian [73] Assignee V-M Corporation Attorney-Kane, Dalsimer Kane, Sullivan & Smith Benton Harbor, Mich. [32] Priority Sept. 8, I966 33] Spain [31] 330996 ABSTRACT: The invention relates to automatic record 'chan- [54] AUTOMATIC RECORD REPRODUCER I gers adapted particularly for reproducing records of different APPARATUS diameters. The records may be held In lntermlngled stacked 45 Chims, 34 Drawing piga relationship upon a supporting spindle element prior to release for play. A series of cams carried and supported for [52] Cl 4 1 rotation upon a single camshaft functioning with suitable con- 1b 17/16 trols determines the operational sequence control. Rotation of [5 Field of Search 274/ the camshaft and its cams Over a preestablished angle (usually 7 360) controls the operation. Camshaft rotation is interrupted [56] References clted each time the shaft turns through the selected angle. and is UNITED STATES PATENTS then reinitiated either manually or automatically. All normal 3,012,789 12/1961 Rae 274/10 operations are established in known sequence.

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AUTOMATIC RECORD REPRODUCER APPARATUS GENERAL DISCUSSION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a record player device adapted for sequentially positioning records of various and randomly selectable size in stacked relationship for release to a turntable for reproduction, as controlled by a pickup arm and record-tracking stylus.

In the art of record players, many devices suitable for automatically playing records in sequence and substituting one record for another following record play have been proposed. The devices usually operate by moving the record to be played to the surface of a turntable that is rotating at a selected speed. A stylus element carried by a pickup arm is then moved to contact the grooving in the record surface in order that the recorded intelligence upon the record may be reproduced. Where the records are of randomly chosen sizes each is sizetested or sensed prior to reproduction in order that the pickup stylus may be placed at the starting position of the record grooving when contact with the record is established.

It has been customary in order to achieve the desired operating sequence and the necessary timing to provide a drive mechanism for controlling the movement of the pickup or playback arm that is arranged to carry the stylus which tracks the record groove. Various forms of structures have been used to remove records from the stack and position the records so removed for reproduction. Suitable devices are provided for testing the record size by moving a measuring component adjacent to the record. A suitable form of memory unit provides for adjustment of the final positioning of the pickup arm relative to the record as contact is made.

As a general rule, the apparatus through the use of which some of the foregoing results have been achieved, has been of a complicated variety. Numerous cams and gearings have usually been provided to control the sequence of operations of the different components. Cams carried upon shafts whose motional speeds are interrelated have been used to achieve one or another of the foregoing types of operations. These factors have led to costly structures. In addition, the necessity of driving a multiplicity of cams, as well as camshafts, from some suitable common source has made operation difficult both as to timing and as to number of components. The result has been that the art has lacked a reliable low-priced component with which substantially foolproof operation is achievable.

The present invention provides a structure by which the number of operating components has been substantially reduced. In addition, the general nature of the drive and control has been simplified through the use of a single cam or cons trol shaft which times and governs each and operation operation of the unit. The structure of the invention provides a multiplicity of cams, all mounted in appropriate angular positions relative to each other, upon a single elongated cam or control shaft. A driven pinion element to control the operation of the complete unit is provided at an appropriate location on the shaft. The pinion is moved to an operative position relative to the rotating record turntable each time a new record is to be reproduced. The transition is automatically achieved with the initiation of a start or following a completion of a record play in order to carry the next record to a play" position.

This driven pinion for the cam or control shaft has teeth over the major portion of its periphery to engage a suitable driving element which is preferably on the turntable spindle. It also has a sequence of several adjacent teeth missing along a small portion of its periphery. For the portion of the peripheral arc where teeth are missing, normal engagement between the driving element and the pinion is impossible. The camshaft rotation stops as soon as the driven pinion turns to that position where there are no engaging teeth on the driven unit. Such stoppage occurs during the period of record reproduction. The drive is reinitiated as soon as a new record is ready for play.

Immediately at the end of record play a tripping mechanism causes the driven pinion to be abruptly rotated, under the release of storedenergy, through an angle sufficient to rotate the unit with its missing teeth for an angle which brings the driving teeth into reengagement with the teeth of the driven pinion element of the turntable. This is achieved through an appropriate type of clutch drive mechanism. The initiated drive then continues until the driven pinion element again turns through an angle sufficient to bring the portion having missing teeth opposite the driving unit. When this condition occurs the drive is once more disengaged. The camshaft drive is always interrupted while records are being reproduced and the pickup arm and stylus are tracking the record grooving.

Any and various means may be provided to control the several operations. At this point suffice it to state that by providing a plurality of cams supported in preestablish angular positioning relative to each other on a driving cam or control shaft, the desired sequence of operation is achieved. Stated very broadly, the sequence involves a suitable movement of the pickup or control arm from an end-of-play position to a start-of-play position, while making provisions during the movement for utilizing thepickup arm itself to sense the size of the next record to be played. The operation also involves a control of the release of records, one at a time, from a supported stack of randomly chosen sizes, with one record only being released during each rotating of the camshaft. With the release of a record from the stack it is immediately moved to'a testing positionbetween the stack and the turntable. The pickup arm is then moved adjacent to the record edge and thereby the size of the record is determined. The mechanism then is set automatically so that following size testing the record is moved promptly from its size-testing position to the turntable. The control then initiated places the pickup arm with the reproducing stylus upon the record at the start of the grooving so that the reproduce operation is commenced.

The release of the records individually from a stack held upon a support spindle that is located coaxially with the axis upon which the turntable is driven is preferably achieved by the sequential removal of the lowermost record. Then, after play, and following the operation here briefly outlined the next record in the stack or sequence is selected.

The record release is achieved in the preferred apparatus through the movement of a lever positioned within the support spindle which serves in one position to hold the complete stack of records elevated relative to the turntable andin a second position to draw or shift the lowermost record from the stack to a dropped position along the shaft. With the release of the record, the lever is adapted to hold the record to the spindle so that the sensing or pickup arm may determine the record size and then permit the record to drop toa playing position.

CERTAIN ADVANTAGES AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION The prior art, as a general proposition, has depended for an operation control upon the use of various and numerous different drive and cam shafts. This has made the reproducing apparatus far more expensive than is generally desired. It has also made servicing operations frequently necessary to maintain satisfactory quality.

By the present invention, many of the deficiencies of the prior art have been overcome through a greatly simplified construction and arrangement of parts. One principal improvement arisesfrom the use of a single driving and control shaft mechanism which tends to bring about essentially foolproof operation. A generally horizontally positioned control cam shaft is positioned immediately beneath the frame plate of the machine. This makes possible a rigorous control of all operational sequences and phases in a greatly simplified manner. It results in the achievement of one of the main objectives of the invention which is that of providing a greatly sim plified control unit through the use of which substantially improved and faithful record reproduction may be achieved without fear of breakdown or erroneous operational timing of the sequence of events.

A further object of the invention is that of providing a simplified structure by which the movements of the pickup stylus and its associated pick-arm can be faithfully carried out in a substantially foolproof manner and still make possible a utilization of the pickup arm itself as a means for record-size testing, thereby to make operation more efficient and yet feasible with a substantially cheaper structure.

Other advantages and objectives of the invention are those of providing a greatly improved and simplified structure for record-reproducing components which will permit manufacture and sale of the units on a more economical basis than heretofore possible, and to couple therewith an increase in the efficiency of the overall working.

Still another objective of the invention is that of providing a simplified structure adapted to reproducing records of different sizes which can be driven at different speeds so that the unit is usable with equal facility both for the newest types and size records manufactured, as well as those heretofore used, of which many are still held within the record portfolios of the buying public.

Objective still further objective of the invention is that of providing a simplified structure which is capable not only of use with records of different diameters but which, through the addition of a simplified adapter structure, can be used without further modification for reproducing records of relatively small diameter and having a large central guidin hole.

Other objectives of the invention are those of providing a compact, efi'icient, lightweight record changing and reproducing device having a high quality performance characteristic that can be manufactured and sold on a more favorable economic basis than record players now customarily offered to the buying public.

Other objectives and advantages of the invention will become further apparent and suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, to which this invention is directed following a reading of the following description and the accompanying claims in connection with the drawings.

THE DRAWINGS The invention has been illustrated in certain of its preferred forms by the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a general isometric view of the record reproducer looking from above it and showing particularly the pickup arm, the record support spindle and the record compressor positioned relative to the turntable and base member;

FIG. 2 is a plan view looking at the turntable and control mechanism from beneath FIG. 1 in the general direction of its line 2-2;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the record reproducer in approximately a neutral position looking at the structure in the general'direction of the line 3-3 of FIG. 1 with the turntable removed and the general control mechanism of FIG. 2 shown in phantom;

FIG. 4 is a view of generally schematic form of the FIG. 2 components looking from the same general direction with some components shown in slightly out-of-phase relationship for descriptive purposes;

FIG. 5 (appearing on sheet 1) is also a generally schematic view of the start-control unit looking at the mechanism with the turntable removed;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view, somewhat in schematic layout, particularly showing the general operative relationship of selected components thereby depicting the general operative sequence as particularly emphasized by the dot-dash lines showing more specific relationship;

FIGS. 7a and 7b represent sections taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 3, with FIG. 70 showing the clutch control in a neutral and energized state prior to initiation of rotation of the camshaft, and with FIG. 7b showing the initiation of camshaft rotation as controlled by the release of the stored drive ener- 83/;

FIGS. 8a and 8b represent the camshaft dn've pinion, as seen along the line 8-8 of FIG. 3, showing a neutral position (corresponding to that of FIG. 7a and FIG. 8a) and in a driving position, as in FIG. 8b, after camshaft rotation has been initiated by the released drive (corresponding to FIG. 7b);

FIG. 9 shows by its various parts a through d the record support and locating spindle, with FIG. 9a being an elevational 7 view with the spindle lever in a generally neutral position and '7 a stack of records supported thereon for release in sequence, FIG. 9b being an elevational view showing the rocking lever moved to release the lowermost record of the supported stack to a size-testing position between the supported stack and the record turntable, FIG. 9c being an elevational sectional view of the spindle to show particularly the rocking lever for controlling the record release and position, and FIG. 9d being a cross section on the line 9d-9d of FIG. 90;

FIG. 10 is an elevational view seen in general direction of line 10-10 of FIG. 3 to show the elevating and rotating cam controls for the pickup arm;

FIG. 11 is a simulated isometric exploded view of the pickup arm and the position-locking arm as seen substantially along the line 11-11 of FIG. 10 when looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the driving cam and control disc for controlling pickup arm movement with the view taken generally along the section 12-12 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is an end view of the pickup arm elevating rod and the control cam as seen along section 13-13 of FIG. 10 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 14 is an isometric view as seen generally along the path 14-14 of FIG. 10 when looking in the direction of the arrows and shows the cam control to move the pickup arm away from the record turntable and the record support and positioning spindle;

FIG. 15 is an elevational view, partly in section, taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 10 looking in direction of the arrows and illustrates the record support spindle and supported records in use with the record compressor arm to maintain the stack position;

FIG. 16 is an exploded isometric view along support axis of pickup arm to show movement control and control elements driven thereby to control operational cycle in part;

FIG. 17 (appearing on sheet 9 with FIGS. 12 to 14) represents by its parts X and I through IX, respectively, the

I drive pinion with certain missing teeth and nine separate earns arranged in the order shown on the camshaft of the exploded view of FIG. 6 with all cams and the pinion shown the substantially the preferred angular relationship to each other when supported upon the camshaft;

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the tone arm rotated to the turntable and supported record with the pickup shown in its rest position and then in phantom in positions of record size sensing, start of record play and end of record play;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken on the line 19-19 of FIG. 10 looking in the direction of the arrows to show the control by which the pickup arm is elevated and turned.

FIG. 20 by its parts a and b represents sections taken along the line 20a looking from the direction of the line with FIG. 20a showing the unit adapted for one playing speed and FIG. 20b showing the unit adapted for a different speed.

FIG. 21 by its parts (a) and (b) shows an adapter in sectional elevation to enable the device shown by FIGS. 1

through 20 to be used with small records having a large center hole, with parts 21a showing a record stack in a supported position and part 2112 showing the lowermost record about to be released to the turntable for play;

FIG. 22 is a sectional bottom view along the path of line 22-22 of FIG. 21a looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 23, by its part FIG. 23a is a view of the cylinder with the top turret removed and looking in the direction of arrows 23a of FIG. 21a and part FIG. 23b, is a top view of the turret looking along line 23-23 of FIG. 21a to show the adapter turret and spindle with its record displacing cam element;

FIG. 24 in its parts FIG. 24a and FIG. 24b constitutes a chart to show the operation sequence of the various components, with time shown as extending from left to right and angular rotation of the camshaft similarly depicted, with each individual operation shown as effective for that portion of the camshaft rotation shown above each datum line for each depicted operation step. By this showing the operation, except for the lifting and replacement of the pickup arm relative to a record on the turntable, are shown to begin and end abruptly and in substantially zero time. This is for convenience of showing the broad operational principals and the general timing of the events. No inference should be made from these curves relative to the precise operating times since some events start and end faster than others. The chart is intended to present general arrangements only and is merely to aid in understanding the timing of different events; and

FIG. 25 is an enlargement of the upper portion of FIG. 21a to show the manner of removal of the bottom record of the stack by the lever-operated slide element.

A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION If reference is now made to the drawings for a further understanding of the invention, consideration may first be given to FIG. 1, which constitutes a generally isometric view of the unit as it would be viewed from the top in its operation. The turntable ll lIS. supported for rotation on a base 12 to turn on an axis 13. This axis of rotation is generally centered on the base member 12 which is depressed in its central portion to accommodate the turntable 11. The support axis provides for the turntable being rotated in any suitable fashion by a suitable and selected form of drive.

The general turntable drive will be seen particularly from FIGS. 2 and 3. It is provided by a motor, schematically indicated at 14, which is adapted to drive a puck element 15 in any suitable fashion (not shown). The puck is rotated by the motor and is positioned and held internally of the downwardly extending rim 16 of the turntable 11. With rotation of the puck, the turntable is also appropriately rotated. It will be later explained that the turntable is adapted to be driven at different speeds, each of which is essentially constant, depending upon the type and size of the record to be reproduced. For the purpose, the control knob 17 has been schematically represented so that, if turned, it may be assumed that the puck is made to contact one of a plurality of different diameter sections of the rotor shaft of the motor. The ratio between the circumference of the different motor shaft areas of contact with the puck circumference sets the speed at which the turntable can be driven. There is speed reduction between each of the circumference of all of that of the motor rotor shaft the puck and the turntable. Thus, with a given diameter for the turntable, the puck and the shaft, the motor speed may readily be set. The driving motor is appropriately a constant speed unit so that different turntable speeds result when the driven puck contacts the rotor shaft at regions of different diameter. Normally, the records for reproduction are rotated at speeds of 33% rpm. for present day records of both the inch and 12 inch types, 78 r.p.m. for older records, particularly of the 10 inch and 12 inch variety and 45 rpm. for small records of approximately 7 inch diameter type with the large center holes. The knob 17 is adapted to set the record turntable speed by a cam action shifting the puck to contact different diameter sections of the motor shaft as it is driven. This will later be explained in further detail. The support shaft 13 for the record turntable is usually of tubular variety so that a spindle element 18 may be supported and positioned internally thereof. The spindle (as will be more particularly described in connection with FIGS. 90 through 9d inclusive is provided with an internal pivotal lever element 19 adapted to pivot about the pin 20 as an axis. The pivotal movement is controlled by means of the outer end 21 of the lever. The end 2] acts as a cam follower and is adapted to be moved in a manner later to be described.

The pivotal lever 19 extends upward internally of the spindle. Toward the upper portion the spindle provides shoulder or guide shelf 22 upon which a stack of records 23 (see FIG. 9a) is adapted to rest. The upper portion of the spindle has an upper slidable holder member 24 (see FIG. which is adapted to slide about the guide pins 25 and 26 by way of the slot 27, thereby to hold and position supported records prior to their being dislodged from the guide shelf and the set spring element 28. The spring element 28 extends internally from the upper part of the pivoted lever 19 and terminates at about the level of the shoulder or guide shelf 22, thereby to aid in holding the lowermost record of the stack 23.

The records thus supported are adapted for play by being dropped to the turntable in a fashion later to be explained. When on the turntable, the record grooves are adapted to be contacted by the stylus element 30 (see FIG. 18) which is supported near the outer end 31 of the pickup arm 32. The pickup am 32 is pivotally supported and mounted at its rear portion 33 so as to be raised from the surface of the record on the turntable at the time of completion of record play and to be lowered to the turntable and the record at the time when record play is started, to so remain until record play is completed. Arcuate movement about the support is also provided, thereby to permit tracking the record across the record face. Whenever a stack of records is held upon the spindle 18 and supported in the fashion already stated by the shoulder 22 and the spring element 28, the record compressor arm 34 through its outwardly extending fingers 35 and 36 rests upon the uppermost record. As is well known, the arm 34 thereby serves as a stabilizing component.

The holder-compressor arm 34 is supported from one end upon a spindle 37 which extends downwardly into a holder 38 (see FIG. 15). The holder 38 serves both to guide the spindle and, in a manner later to b5 described, arrest further downward movement of the pickup or tone arm. At this time, it might be mentioned that a pin 39 extends outwardly from the spindle in substantially a radial direction. The pin locates the position of the compressor arm. The pin 39 is adapted to move downwardly into the slot 40 (see FIG. 18) with the playing of the records, while the spindle 37 moves within the holder 38. At a time when the last record of the stack has been released the spindle 37 is at its lowest position. Then, by means of a locking arm (later to be described) the operation is stopped when the end of the locking arm contacts a notch of a disk element secured to the spindle which supports the pickup arm, as will later be described. When the pickup or tone arm 32 is in a rest position and prior to starting the mechanism, it is adapted to be positioned and rest upon the support post 41. It can be locked in this position by a lateral movement of a suitable locking button 29 pushed in one position and released when the button is in the opposite position.

Having now considered broadly the general appearance of the apparatus, reference may be made to the mechanism by which the unit is adapted to function. To this end, it is appropriate to note again that all elements of the device are preferably driven by a single drive motor 14. This motor drives the puck 15 (see FIG. 20) which in turn, bears upon the inner wall of the turntable element 16, thereby to rotate it. The rotational speed of the puck is changed by a cm mechanism which caused it to contact the motor shaft at regions of different diameter.

At about the center of the location from which the turntable 11 is supported, there is a hollow shaft member 13 which extends up through the turntable base. This shaft is mounted at its lower end in a bracket 44 which is hung from the lower side of the base member 12 by appropriately supporting ears 45 and 46. The upper surface of the base member has a circular depression or recess formed therein into which thetumtable element 11 is adapted to be positioned. From the underside, this recessed section extends downwardly. The supporting ears 45 and 46 of the bracket 44 are attached to such under side, as can be seen from the exploded view of FIG. 6.

The bracket 44 extends beneath the bottom of the recessed portion into which the turntable fits. There it forms a supporting structure for holding one end of a cam shaft 50 which serves as a unitary control shaft for establishing essentially the operation of the entire unit. The camshaft 50 extends through a bearing surface 51 in a protruding tab 52 which extends outwardly from one of the upright sections 53 of the bracket 44.

The camshaft 50 extends from a position in the bearing sup port substantially along a generally diagonal path beneath the base of the unit. At its remote end it is supported in the upstanding section of a bracket 54 which, in turn, is also supported by an angle section 55 from the lower portion of the base 12.

The turntable element 11 is supported at its center and a hollow shaft 56 of an inside diameter sufficient to slide over and position the turntable on and about the hollow spindle 13. This hollow section may be appropriately secured to the turntable in any desired fashion. It extends down slightly from the lower turntable surface. The hollow shaft 56 terminates at its lower end in a worm element XI. The lower end of the hollow shaft 56 is adapted to rest over and be positioned upon a bushing member (not shown) supported from the upper surface of the bracket 44 through which bushing the spindle 13 is adapted to protrude to be held at its lower end by a fastening nut 57 supported immediately beneath the bracket and threading on to the threaded end 58 of the spindle 13. The spindle 13 with the worm surrounding it provides a spacing element between the lower side of the frame and the upper portion of the bracket. It also limits the position of the worm XI. With the construction provided, the worm XI is keyed to the shaft 56 and thereby turned through the turntable. The worm is adapted to mesh with and drive a pinion X that is located along the camshaft 50 in a position of engagement with the worm. Accordingly, with engagement between the teeth of the worm XI and the pinion X, assuming the pinion to be keyed to the camshaft 50, as is the case, camshaft rotation is by the drive motor 14 and puck 15.

Continuous camshaft rotation would result because of engagement between the teeth 59 and the worm teeth 60 were it not for the fact that a drive interruption occurs after each 360 rotation of the cam shaft because of the omission of a few (usually three or four) adjacent teeth as at area 61 on the periphery of the driven pinion (see FIGS. 80 and 8b.) The number of teeth omitted from the periphery of the pinion X is sufficient so that after the pinion reaches neutral position relative to the driving worm (see FIG. 8a) following a 360 rotation there is no longer engagement between the teeth and the drive stops. However, if a slight rotation or jog can be provided for the driven pinion by rotating the shaft to which it is keyed in the direction as shown by the arrow on FIGS. 80 and 8b, the rotational drive between the worm and the pinion will be reengaged for another turn and pinion X will rotate through the remaining portion of a 360 angle. There is an appropriate gear reduction provided between the worm and the pinion which may be of any selected and chosen relationship, as will be well recognized.

Considering now that the cam or control shaft 50 is in a position to be turned by the drive provided through pinion X, there is provided by this invention a multiple series of cams supported upon and keyed along the shaft. The cams are so located and their followers are arranged in such relationship that for each 360' rotation of the camshaft the rotating cams provide for the operation of all control features necessary for the control of a full change of records for reproduction and the interchange of records from a stacking position to a playing position on the turntable 11.

For indicating the general pattern of operation, reference may momentarily be made to the timing sequence shown by the curves of FIGS. 24a and 2417, together with the exploded schematic and generally isometric-type operational diagram of FIG. 6. FIG. 6 depicts the various components and the approximate relative relationship of each so as to show in a most general sense the functioning and relationship of the various component parts herein to be described. In this respect, nine separate cam elements, schematically represented by the Roman numerals I through IX, are provided on the shaft 50. Each of these cams is shown in more detail by FIG. 17 where each is turned to appropriately the angular relationship which each cam bears to each other cam on the camshaft so that the desired operational sequence is achieved.

The camshaft 50 is provided throughout its length with a longitudinally extending groove 62. Each of the cams I through IX, as well as the driven pinion X, is provided with an outwardly extending projection or spline 63 which is adapted to fit within such elongated slot or guide 62. The slot and spline thereby set the precise angular position of each cam relative to each other cam. Any appropriate form of longitudinal spacing components, such as spacing rings and setscrews, or any other form of recognized spacing unit, may be provided to maintain the desired longitudinal spacing of all of the cams between the two ends of the shaft.

As will be apparent from what is to follow, the constructural features make it desirable in some instances for certain cams to be positioned adjacent or substantially'adjacent to each other. In other instances, the cams may be spaced appropriately along the camshaft. Because wide variances in constructural features are contemplated, the particular spacing illustrated in any of the drawings should be regarded as generally schematic although exemplary of a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, in the exploded view of the character of FIG. 6,'the cam spacings and shapings must be regarded as generally schematic. A more precise reference to the cam shapings is found in the various cams of FIG. 17. The relative angular positioning of the several cams is also set out with close approximation to that most preferred. In the showing of FIG. 17, it may be considered that the cams, as well as the driven pinion X, are all positioned in a neutral relationship with respect to operation. This is to say that a record is in the play" state and no shift is under way at the depicted time. For the purpose of controlling the sequence of operating the cams may be assumed to be positioned upon the cam shaft 50 in such fashion that each rotates simultaneously in a counterclockwise direction, as more particularly exemplified by FIG. 6. The cam followers have not been depicted generally in a precise following relationship in either of FIGS. 6 or 17 although it is to be noted that the exploded schematic view of FIG. 6 shows generally the components which act as followers for the majority of the cams.

The operation is so depicted that when the camshaft and its cams is in the neutral or camshaft position, the missing teeth of the driven pinion are opposite the worm teeth.

Operation and rotation of the camshaft 50 is initiated by providing an abrupt rotation through an external activating means capable of rotating the shaft 50 through an angle adequate to turn the mutilated gear sufficiently to move the first tooth of the driven pinion X into a position to make contact with the teeth of the driving worm XI. For illustrative purposes this is shown as being about 15 but this must be regarded as illustrative of principle and not a structural limitation. In this condition it will be assumed that the drive motor 14 is in operation to turn the drive puck 15 through the motor shaft and thereby rotate the turntable 11 and, with it, the worm XI. The worm XI is rigidly secured to the turntable shaft and rotates at all time that the turntable is driven.

In one preferred form of the invention the jogging motion of the camshaft 50 is provided by means of a generally triangular-shaped cam III, appropriately keyed to the camshaft. In a rest or neutral position, the cam III is supported so that it is substantially adjacent to a depending bracket 66. The bracket is secured at 67, in turn, to a sliding plate member 68 which is, in turn, supported to rest in part upon the upper surface of the base member 12. A downwardly turned end of the sliding member 68 extends through a slot 69 in the base member 12. The downwardly depending portion then connects by the pin connection 67 with the channel section 70 which has the already mentioned downwardly depending portion 66 on one side and a second downwardly depending section 71 on the other side. The channel section 70 has its downwardly de- 

1. In record changer and cycling apparatus with which there is provided a record-support spindle means for supporting a plurality of records of permissively intermingled sizes in stacked relationship for individual release and playback by stylus means following release for support in a playback position upon a rotatable turntable having controllable speed drive means, the said spindle means and the turntable axis of rotation being substantially axially aligned, and in which the stylus is carried by an elevatable and arcuately movable pickup arm adapted in its active position to rest on and follow the grooving of the playing record, the combination comprising, a single control camshaft means, means to limit the said camshaft rotation to one rotational cycle preparatory to playing the lowermost record of the stacked plurality, the said single shaft controlling the complete sequence of the operational cycle, means operable during a selected portion of the rotation of the control camshaft for moving the said lowermost record of the stacked group along the spindle to a temporary support position between the record support means and the turntable, means also controlled from the control camshaft for moving the pickup arm arcuately toward the turntable axis to a position to abut the record held in the temporary supporT position for contacting the record edge and thereby sensing the record size, a further means operated from the control camshaft for retracting the support means holding the record in the temporary position for sensing to permit the record to move to the turntable, means also driven from the control camshaft for subsequently moving the pickup arm toward the turntable and locating the stylus carried by the pickup arm upon the deposited record, and means to interrupt rotation of the control camshaft during the record-play period.
 2. The record changer claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for moving the pickup arm comprises a frictional drive means, and means to permit slip in the drive during the period within which record sizing occurs.
 3. The record changer claimed in claim 1 comprising, in addition, a record-supporting spindle axially aligned with the turntable drive axis for supporting a group of records for play, said spindle including an internally positioned movable lever adapted for releasing records individually from the stacked plurality at times of lever movement, cam means on the control shaft for pivoting the internally positioned lever to arrest movement of each released supported record from the stack at a size-testing position following the initiation of rotation of the control shaft, and means for subsequently releasing the size-tested record to the record turntable.
 4. The combination claimed in claim 1 comprising, in addition, follower means to elevate the pickup arm from the turntable surface during record-recycling operation.
 5. The apparatus claimed in claim 1 comprising drive means associated with the driven turntable for driving the control shaft.
 6. The apparatus claimed in claim 1 comprising, in addition, cam control means to release a size-sensed record to the turntable following size measurement, and means to delay return of the pickup arm to the plane of the record turntable for a time period sufficient to permit the size-sensed record to position itself upon the turntable.
 7. The record changer claimed in claim 1 comprising, in addition, means to coordinate the substantially constant rotational speed of the control shaft to the rotational speed of the turntable.
 8. Record changer apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inward drive means for the pickup arm comprises cam means supported upon the control shaft, and a frictionally engageable element carried upon the pickup arm support means which said cam means is adapted to engage for a selected angular portion of the shaft rotation and wherein slippage between the cam means and the frictionally engageable element is permitted during the period of angular rotation of the cam exceeding that required to bring the pickup arm adjacent to the record periphery.
 9. The apparatus claimed in claim 8 comprising, in addition, a slotted stop means associated with the frictionally movable means, a movable arm adapted to engage the slotted member following slippage between the cam drive and the frictionally driven element thereby to limit the arcuate movement of the pickup arm and stylus toward the turntable axis following contact between the pickup arm and the periphery of the record next to be played thereby to gauge the record diameter, and cam means supported upon the control shaft for subsequently releasing the engagement of the arm within the slotted element to permit a movement of the pickup arm and stylus to a record-contacting position for the selected record size.
 10. The record changer claimed in claim 1 comprising, in addition, a record-supporting spindle axially aligned with the turntable drive axis, said spindle including an internally positioned movable lever adapted for releasing records individually from the plurality at times of lever movement, and cam means on the cam control shaft for pivoting the internally positioned lever to release stacked records one by one from the plurality stacked to a size-testing position following the initiation of rotation of the control shaft.
 11. The record changer apparatus as claimed in claim 10 comprising, in addition, means to align the record supporting spindle to one angular position only relative to the turntable.
 12. The apparatus claimed in claim 1 comprising, in addition, record compressor means to hold the records closely stacked and substantially parallel prior to play.
 13. The apparatus claimed in claim 12 comprising, in addition interlock means between the lever to control the repeat cycle and the movement of the record compressor means.
 14. The apparatus claimed in claim 1 comprising, in addition, cam and lever means to control the repeat cycle.
 15. The apparatus claimed in claim 14 comprising, in addition cam means to preclude initiation of the repeat cycle prior to repositioning the stylus member in the record grooving.
 16. The drive means claimed in claim 1 comprising a gear means supported upon the driven control shaft and having one arcuate portion mutilated to preclude drive and means to drive the control shaft from the turntable drive through the said gear during periods of time within which unmutilated portions of the mutilated gear are moved to engage the turntable drive.
 17. The drive means claimed in claim 16 comprising, in addition, cam-controlled spring-operated means driven from the control shaft for rotating the mutilated gear following a completion of an operational sequence for an angle such that gear reengagement is provided between the driving shaft of the turntable and the driving pinion of the control shaft.
 18. The apparatus claimed in claim 17 comprising, in addition, cam operated lever means connected to rotate the pickup arm away from the turntable axis following a completion of record play.
 19. The apparatus claimed in claim 1 comprising, in addition, cam-operated means driven from the control shaft for returning the pickup arm to a position toward the turntable center and means for temporarily interrupting the return path for a time period sufficient to test the diameter of the record next to be reproduced, and cam control means to return the pickup arm and stylus to the plane of the record turntable for record contact following record size testing.
 20. The apparatus claimed in claim 19 comprising, in addition, cam-controlled means to place the pickup arm stylus at substantially the initiation point of record grooving at the time of return of the pickup arm to the plane of the last previous size-sensed record.
 21. The apparatus claimed in claim 20 comprising, in addition, cam-controlled switch means to arrest operation of the cycling means following the completion of play of the lowermost stacked record.
 22. The combination claimed in claim 1 comprising, in addition, trigger means to initiate operation.
 23. The combination claimed in claim 22 comprising, in addition, spring-controlled trigger means to initiate operation.
 24. The combination claimed in claim 22 comprising, in addition, manually operated trigger means for starting operation.
 25. The combination claimed in claim 24 wherein manually operated trigger means comprises a releasable lever means, and means normally to hold the lever in a state of rest.
 26. The apparatus claimed in claim 25 comprising, in addition, means driven from the turntable rotating means to control the trigger lever movement.
 27. The apparatus claimed in claim 24 comprising, in addition cam and lever means to control the time period of reinitiation of the record play cycle.
 28. The apparatus claimed in claim 27 comprising, in addition, switching means to control the drive period.
 29. The apparatus claimed in claim 28 wherein the switching means comprises two switches parallelly connected, cam means to control one of the switches to close at a selectEd time and to hold the switch closed until the drive is again disengaged after recharge.
 30. The apparatus as claimed in claim 28 wherein means is provided with the second switch means for closing the said switch while the pickup arm is operative, and means for reopening the said second switch when the pickup arm is in a rest position.
 31. In record-changer apparatus wherein flat records of permissively different randomly chosen sizes are adapted to be stacked and moved one by one in stacking order from a record support means to a playing position on a rotary turntable where a stylus element carried upon a movable pickup arm is adapted to track the record grooving between the start and finish positions thereby to play back the recording thereon, the combination comprising, a single control camshaft, means to rotate the control camshaft through an angle of 360* within a selected time interval between a completion of play of one record and a start of play of the next record for conditioning the apparatus for the playback, elevating means driven from the control camshaft for raising the pickup arm and its stylus from a record-contacting position during the said selected time interval, means also driven from the control camshaft during its rotation following pickup arm elevation for moving the pickup arm and its stylus outwardly from the axis of the turntable to a position beyond the periphery of the largest diameter record to be played, means operated from the control camshaft at a time period when the pickup arm is positioned outwardly from the turntable axis for shifting the lowermost support record from its initially supported position to a second supported position between the initial position and the turntable, means driven from the said control camshaft at a time when the record is in the second supported position for moving the pickup arm in its elevated position inwardly toward the turntable axis with the stylus following approximately a radial path toward the turntable axis to a point of contact at the record edge to sense record diameter at which time the drive for said pickup arm temporarily slips and further movement of the pickup arm is arrested, means also operating under control of the control camshaft to release the sensed record from its second position of support during the period of arrest of movement of the pickup arm to place the record upon the turntable for reproduction, means also controlled from the control camshaft to move the pickup arm and its stylus to a contacting position on the grooved portion of the record following size-testing and then to free the pickup arm to permit the stylus to follow the record groove path, and means to interrupt rotation of the control shaft following stylus contact with the grooved portion of the record.
 32. The record changing apparatus claimed in claim 31 comprising, in addition, a drive member supported for rotation with the turntable and turning concurrently with the turntable, a driven member supported upon the end of the control shaft and arranged for engagement with the said drive member thereby to be rotated, said driven member having a region wherein for a selected angle its rotation by the drive means is interrupted following engagement, and means to establish the engagement between the driving and driven means following each record play.
 33. The record changer claimed in claim 32 which also includes means to produce an abrupt initial angular rotation of the control camshaft at time periods following completion of record play when at least one additional record is stacked for play, the produced rotation being of the order of 5 percent of one 360* cycle of rotation of the control shaft, and means to provide a substantially constant speed of rotation of the control camshaft for the remainder of the angle completing the full 360* rotation of a cycle.
 34. The record changer claimEd in claim 31 which also includes means to provide an abrupt rotation of the initial angular movement of the order of 5 percent of one 360* cycle of rotation of the control shaft, and means to provide a substantially constant speed of rotation of the control shaft for the remainder of the angle completing the full 360* rotation of a cycle.
 35. In record changer apparatus wherein flat records of permissively different randomly chosen sizes are adapted to be moved one by one from a stacking position on a record support means to a playing position on a driven rotary turntable where a stylus element carried upon a movable pickup is adapted to be supported to track the record grooving between start and finish positions thereby to play back the recording thereon, the combination comprising, a single cam control shaft positioned to extend in a plane substantially parallel to the record support, means to rotate the cam control shaft through an angle of 360* over a selected time interval for conditioning the apparatus for the record playback, cam means driven from the cam control shaft for elevating the pickup arm and its stylus from a record-contacting plane for the time interval between an end-of-play and a start-of-play position for playback, another cam means also driven from the cam control shaft during its rotation following pickup arm elevation for moving the pickup arm and its stylus outwardly from the axis of the turntable with the stylus following approximately a radial path relative to support of the pickup arm, a further means operated from the cam control shaft at a time period when the pickup arm is positioned outwardly from the turntable axis for shifting the lowermost supported record from its initially supported position to a second supported position between the initial position and the turntable, means driven from the cam control shaft at a time when the record is in the second supported position for moving the pickup arm in its elevated position inwardly toward the turntable axis with the stylus following the said approximately radial path toward the turntable axis to a point where the arm contacts the record edge in its inward movement, at which contact point the drive for said pickup arm temporarily slips and movement of the pickup arm is arrested, means to release the record from its second position of support following edge contact by the pickup arm when further movement of the pickup arm is arrested so that the record is adapted to fall gravitationally to the turntable, means provided by the cam control shaft and operative following the record drop for continuing limited movement of the pickup arm inwardly through its drive means with the stylus moving along the said approximately radial path toward the turntable axis to a temporary locking position coordinated with the diameter of the sensed record, said position being that which aligns the stylus with the outer edge of the grooved portion of the record, further cam means driven by the cam control shaft for subsequently disengaging the temporary locking means, means to permit the stylus carried by the pickup arm to move to a contacting position on the grooved portion of the record following said disengagement and then to free the arm for movement along the grooved path toward the final tracking position, means to interrupt rotation of the control shaft following stylus contact with the grooved portion of the record, and means for conditioning the control shaft during the period of its rotation for repeating the cycle following a movement of the pickup arm stylus to the innermost grooved portion of the record.
 36. The record changer claimed in claim 39 comprising, in addition, means to coordinate the substantially constant rotational speed of the cam control shaft to the rotational speed of the turntable.
 37. The record-changing apparatus claimed in claim 36 comprising, in addition, A worm drive member supported for rotation with the turntable and turning concurrently with the turntable, a driven pinion supported upon the control camshaft and arranged for engagement with the said worm thereby to be rotated, said pinion having an absence of pinion teeth for a selected angle of its periphery, whereby rotation of the pinion by the drive worm is interrupted due to the absence of driving pinion teeth following engagement of the teeth and the worm through a selected angle, and means to establish the engagement period between the worm and driven pinion following each record play.
 38. The record-changing apparatus claimed in claim 37 wherein the driven pinion is supported upon the end of the controlled camshaft adapted for engagement with the teeth of the driving worm for the turntable.
 39. The record changer claimed in claim 35 wherein the means to drive the camshaft control includes means to produce an abrupt initial angular shaft rotation at time periods following completion of record play when at least one additional record is stacked for play, the produced rotation being of the order of 5 percent of one turning cycle of rotation of the control shaft, and means to provide a substantially constant speed of rotation of the control shaft for the remainder of the angle completing the full cycle of rotation.
 40. The record changer claimed in claim 39, including, in addition, means to store mechanical energy during the driving period of the control camshaft rotation for release at selected time periods, a yoke means connected for driving the energy storing means, a cam means on the cam control shaft for shifting the position of the yoke means between limits for energy storage and for triggering for energy release, and means operated under the control of the pickup arm movement at the end of record play during which high pitch grooving on the record produces rapid movement of the pickup arm for releasing the stored energy under control of the yoke thereby to jog the control shaft through a limited angle of turning to reengage the drive member with the driven control shaft.
 41. In record changer and cycling apparatus with which there is provided a spindle having means for supporting a plurality of records of permissively intermingled sizes in stacked relationship for individual release and playback by a stylus following release to a driven rotary turntable for support in a playback position, the said spindle means and the turntable axis of rotation being substantially axially aligned, and in which the stylus is carried by an elevatable and arcuately movable pickup arm and is adapted in its active position to rest on and follow grooving of the playing record, the combination comprising, a single control camshaft means adapted to make one rotational cycle following the playing of a record and preparatory to playing the next record of the plurality, the said control camshaft having thereon a multiplicity of cams for controlling the complete sequence of the change cycle, one cam means operable following a rotation of the control shaft means to a selected angular position within its complete rotational cycle when the pickup arm is moved away from the record turntable for moving a portion of the spindle means to transfer the said lowermost record of the stacked group along the spindle to a temporary support position upon the spindle between the record support means and the turntable, contact means for moving the pickup arm from its position away from the turntable arcuately toward the turntable axis to a position to abut the edge of any record held between the initial support position and the turntable for contacting the record edge and thereby sensing the record size, further means operated from the control camshaft for retracting the support means holding the record in the sensing position to permit the record to fall gravitationally along the spindle to the turntable for the remaininG distance between the sensing position and the turntable surface during further control shaft rotation, means driven from the control camshaft for continuing the inward arcuate movement of the pickup arm toward the turntable axis following record drop for locating the stylus carried by the pickup arm directly above an outer grooved area of the deposited record following movement of the record to the turntable, means for moving the pickup arm downward in the last-named position until the stylus contacts the grooved record surface, and means to interrupt rotation of the control camshaft during record-play period.
 42. In record changer and cyclicing apparatus with which there is provided a spindle having means for supporting a plurality of records of permissively intermingled sizes in stacked relationship for individual release to a support position in which playback by a stylus occurs following release and wherein a record-supporting turntable is driven at a chosen speed, the stylus member being adapted in its active position to rest on and follow the record grooving and being carried by an elevatable and arcuately movable pickup arm, the combination comprising a single control camshaft means adapted to make one rotational cycle during the period between completion of one record play and that of the next record of the stack and during the rotation to release the lowermost record of the stack, a plurality of cam means on the said control shaft and follower means for each cam for collectively controlling the complete sequence of the cycle in which the record play is initiated, follower means operated from one of the cams on the shaft for controlling the removal of the lowermost record of the supported and stacked group to transfer the said record to the turntable as the next record to be played, cam-controlled follower means operable at a selected angular position in the complete rotational cycle of the camshaft for moving the lowermost record of the stacked group to a temporary support position between the position of stacking and the turntable, means for moving the pickup arm arcuately toward the turntable axis to a position temporarily to abut the record held between the stack position and turntable for contacting the record edge and thereby sensing the record size, means operated from the control shaft for retracting the support means holding the record in the sensing position to move the record along the spindle to the turntable for the remaining distance between the sensing position and the turntable during further control shaft rotation, means for moving the pickup arm substantially vertically downward following record size-sensing until the stylus contacts the record surface grooving, means to interrupt rotation of the control shaft and associated cams during a record-play period, and means normally to reinitiate the control following the play of all records until such time as the last record of the stack has been played.
 43. The record-changer apparatus claimed in claim 42 comprising, in addition, manual means to recycle the selection means and camshaft rotation thereby to omit from the automatic cycle manually selectable records.
 44. The record player claimed in claim 42 wherein the intermingled records are each of a character to be reproduced at like speed; and means to change the turntable drive speed selectively.
 45. A record-cycling apparatus for controlling the reproduction of prerecorded messages by a stylus element tracing into the groovings on a record element, where the stylus is carried upon a movable arm controllably adapted to contact a range of selected character on the record between its edge and center regions under conditions where the record and stylus are supported for relative movement with respect to each other upon a turntable, which comprises, in combination, means to rotate the turntable and, with it, the supported record, a control shaft and means associateD therewith to drive the record-supporting turntable, a plurality of cam elements secured to the control shaft and to turn therewith under preselected conditions, a cam follower means for contacting each separate cam element, control means for initiating camshaft rotation at selected time periods and, with it, rotation of the cam elements, a pickup arm and reproducing stylus element supported to be positioned substantially adjacent to the turntable, means provided by one of said cam follower means to bring the stylus into contact with the record surface from an elevated position of the pickup arm at a selected position in its grooves and at a selected time and record groove position of the record upon the turntable, a further cam follower means for elevating the arm and stylus above the record following a selected period of contact, and means to reproduce the recording on the contacted grooved record portion. 